Is it possible for a monument to embody gratitude? At Tugu Sedekah Bumi Lengkong Wetan, it absolutely is. This monument isn’t just a structure. It’s a testament to a tradition of giving back to the earth. Tugu Sedekah Bumi Lengkong Wetan stands as a reminder of the Sedekah Bumi tradition. It is a beautiful blend of Chinese, Sundanese, and Betawi cultures. This tradition, rooted in gratitude for the earth’s bounty, is celebrated in Lengkong Wetan, a district of Serpong, South Tangerang.
Around the 1950s, a Chinese Peranakan figure named Pek Chunyo and a Betawi youth leader named Bosin joined forces. They initiated the Sedekah Bumi. Their reasoning was simple yet profound: “We relieve ourselves on the earth, and we eat from the earth”. Every year in Lengkong, the community felt a duty to express gratitude. They held feasts featuring locally grown food, masked dances (topeng), and communal prayers. This tradition continued until 1952, involving around 30 families. They enjoyed topeng performances by a Tangerang troupe, followed by shared meals and prayers for blessings in the coming year.
Unfortunately, unrest disrupted the tradition. First in the mid-1950s and then again during the tumultuous period surrounding the 1965 coup attempt. Bosin had left for West Banten to deepen his Islamic studies at a renowned pesantren. Pek Chunyo continued the Sedekah Bumi tradition with the help of Bosin’s friend, Tirtonadi, until Chunyo’s passing in 1965. The tradition went dormant for decades. It wasn’t until the 2000s that Apen, one of Pek Chunyo’s descendants, revived the Sedekah Bumi, carrying the torch in 2009, 2012, and 2015.
The Sedekah Bumi in Lengkong Wetan is more than just a harvest festival. It is a profound expression of gratitude, a harmonious blend of cultures. The tugu itself serves as a boundary marker between Lengkong Wetan and Lengkong Karya. Tugu Sedekah Bumi Lengkong Wetan is a symbol of gratitude and unity. It represents the deep connection between the community and the earth that sustains them. It is a legacy passed down through generations.